Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina moments after he took his COVID-19 test at Parliament Buildings | The outspoken politician later confirmed that he tested negative
Following last evening’s shocking news that an unclear number of Kenyan MPs and Senators had tested positive for the deadly Coronavirus, Pathologists Lancet Group – the pathology laboratory experts hired to conduct COVID-19 tests on legislators – has issued an official statement.
REVEALED: Up To 30 Kenyan MPs and Senators Infected By Coronavirus https://t.co/8of6MxG0fD
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In the letter shared across media houses, the team dismissed reports claiming that 17 Members of Parliament have tested positive for coronavirus, adding that any information indicating that there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Parliament is “incorrect, misleading and should be disregarded.”
In the statement seen by uhondonews.com , Lancet says the results for each MP who was tested for the coronavirus were released to each individual person, to ensure confidentiality is safeguarded.
This afternoon, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has called on Health CS Mutahi Kagwe to release names of legislators who have allegedly been confirmed positive for the Chinese Virus,
Through his official Facebook account, Kuria called on the CS to release the list so that all those who interacted with them can come out for testing.
However, if the news are not true, the lawmaker said owners of the local media houses should be arrested for sharing unverified alarming reports.
The National Assembly through Speaker Justin Muturi dismissed the report as untrue saying it was not possible to tell who is infected as each of the lawmakers were; given their test results individually.
A section of Kenyans on social media have also joined the bandwagon calling for the names of the legislators to be released as others “celebrate” blaming the MPs for failure to offer quality healthcare system to Kenyans.
IIn response, the Ministry of Health has said it is not aware of Members of Parliament who have tested positive of the COVID-19.
Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi on Wednesday said though they had seen reports in the media indicating that 17 MPs had tested positive, the ministry had not received any formal report of the matter.
According to Mwangangi, the ministry is embarking on rolling out mass testing in government institutions including the legislature and judiciary and only after such will they be able to layout on how the situation is.
She said the ministry will, however, adhere to confidentiality requirement while conducting the testing.
